Are these e-bikes or e-motos? It's hard to tell, but whatever they are, these two riders in Schaumburg were riding quite responsibly. They were in e-bike speed range (under 28 mph and probably even under 20 mph), they were wearing helmets, and they stopped at intersections. But if they weren't 16, they were not allowed to ride.

Arlington Heights makes a unique e-bike law

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The Arlington Heights village board was ready to also impose a minimum age of 16 to ride all classes of e-bikes, the legal ones as classified by the state, just two months after approving an e-bike law that had the age limit only on Class 3 e-bikes (the 28 mph kind) as state law dictates. Then one trustee brought forth an amendment aimed at teaching and encouraging responsible e-bike use.

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And that amendment is, if young riders take Ride Illinois' Bike Safety Quiz through at least its "silver" level, they can ride an e-bike in town no matter their age.

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The idea confused other trustees, administrators and police leaders a little bit. Such a thing had not been part of any suburbs' e-bike laws so far; only requirements like a driver's license, a learner's permit and even proof of insurance (yes) had.

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Nevertheless, the updated law passed 5-3.

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Meanwhile, Des Plaines' city council is poised to pass an ordinance that, so far, allows e-bike use without age limits (beyond what the state requires). And Naperville's city council is favoring age limits for e-bikes but is finalizing its e-scooter policy before passing its ordinance. See the latest in the e-bike law round-up.​

Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond

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I got caught up on plans in Elmhurst to build a bike-pedestrian bridge over Route 83. And it's happening next year! That had me starting to compile bike infrastructure projects coming in 2026. Elmhurst's effort to connect the north part of town with the Cricket Creek Forest Preserve and the Salt Creek Trail is there, as are Elk Grove's bridge out of Busse Woods and Mount Prospect's bridge over Route 14. The list.​

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Speaking of Mount Prospect, its village board is moving forward with two projects involving bike paths, along Algonquin Road and Busse Road. In River Forest, leaders and residents are reviewing plans to add bike lanes and a path along Washington Boulevard. And Wilmette is proposing bicycle accommodations along Glenview Road, Wilmette Avenue and Ridge Road. That's the latest local news.​

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THANKFUL FOR BICYCLISTS

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Don't say I never tried AI. Unfortunately I haven't come upon a real turkey riding a bike, nor do I see any homeowners' Thanksgiving decorations displaying a turkey on a bike. Perhaps a goal for next year.

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Well, my goal for this year, to build a website about bicycling in Chicago's suburbs, is going pretty well. That's thanks in large part to you, nearly 200 newsletter subscribers now. Thank you for taking this ride with me.

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Don't forget to go to my site for bike clubs, bike trails, great roads and much more. The website will be there all holiday weekend. Happy Thanksgiving. — Neil

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THANK YOU to donors Alan White, John Heer, Terry Witt, Mitchell C. Jones, T L Szensy, Douglas H. Hoffman, James Krause, Melynda Findlay Shamie, Eric Slagter, Jeffery Norman and Kathleen Hays. They're helping support this work. You can, too.
​Buy me a cup of coffee, as they say?

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It doesn't look like the turkey can get in the drops. (Plus he has hands?) I should have used a hybrid bike.

​Read old newsletters. And please forward this to anyone interested.